Mumbai: In most parts of India, Hanuman is one of the most revered deities — a symbol of strength, devotion, and divine service to Lord Ram. But nestled in the hills of Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district lies a village where his name is not just absent — it is actively avoided. In Dronagiri village, people worship Lord Ram but refuse to speak or hear the name of Hanuman. There are no temples dedicated to him, no idols, and certainly no devotees chanting his name.
Instead, residents revere a local deity named Latu Devta and even offer respect to a demon from the Ramayana. Names like Hanuman, Bajrang, Sankatmochan, and Maruti are shunned, and the reason dates back to a story deeply rooted in ancient belief — one that goes back to the Treta Yuga and the epic Ramayana.
A grudge from the age of Ramayana
According to local lore, when Lakshman was wounded during the fierce battle against Ravana, Hanuman flew to the Himalayas to fetch the life-saving Sanjeevani herb. However, unable to identify the right herb, he lifted the entire mountain and carried it back to Lanka to save Lakshman. That mountain is believed to be from the very region where Dronagiri village now exists.
Locals believe that before removing the mountain, Hanuman did not seek the permission of the local deity, Latu Devta, who was in deep meditation on that very mountain. They claim Hanuman inadvertently uprooted the deity’s right arm — a metaphorical or mythological reference to disturbing the sacred site. Since then, villagers feel betrayed and have not forgiven Hanuman for the act, despite acknowledging his role in saving Lord Ram’s brother.
Worshipping Ram, rejecting Hanuman
While temples of Lord Ram stand in Dronagiri, the absence of Hanuman’s presence is striking in a country where both are typically worshipped together. Instead, the villagers offer prayers to the demon Nimba — an enemy of Lord Ram — highlighting how deeply this centuries-old grievance still shapes their religious practices. In a land where the divine monkey god is almost universally beloved, Dronagiri remains an unusual and intriguing exception.
(Disclaimer: The information provided is based on traditional beliefs and religious texts. News9 Live does not endorse or validate these claims.)